I am a blank slate, where do I begin?

[XenoFenix]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm currently a freshman in the second semester at the University of Louisiana. I'm majoring in Microbiology and would like to pursue a career in Pathology. During my first semester, I slacked off and my GPA ended up being 3.142. with four B's and two A's (in my science classes). I am about to enter the Honors Program at my university, but that's all I have going for me.

There aren't any ECs I have been involved in since graduating high school. I have not made any relationships with my professors, and I have no idea where to begin.

 

[willen101383]

I dont have much advice for you...but I think the best thing that ever happened to me was randomly getting a job as a phlebotomist when I was a sophomore in undergrad. Had no clue I wanted medicine before this.

Being around doctors and in the field really really keeps you motivated. Thats the only thing that really helped me to remember what is at the end of the road.

So if I were you I would either get a job in the hospital, or volunteer in healthcare. It will really keep you motivated and is great clinical exposure. 👍

 

[willen101383]

I'm currently a freshman in the second semester at the University of Louisiana. I'm majoring in Microbiology and would like to pursue a career in Pathology. During my first semester, I slacked off and my GPA ended up being 3.142. with four B's and two A's (in my science classes). I am about to enter the Honors Program at my university, but that's all I have going for me.

There aren't any ECs I have been involved in since graduating high school. I have not made any relationships with my professors, and I have no idea where to begin.

Oh and btw....you are a freshmen in college. I wouldnt expect for you to build any real meaningful relationships with professors yet. That takes time...just be conscious of this...and by app season sr year you will be all set for excellent LOR writers.

and as far as volunteering outside of healthcare: DO THINGS YOU ENJOY DOING AND YOU WILL LEARN FROM. Adcoms can smell bull$hit a mile away.

 

[WhizoMD]

I'm currently a freshman in the second semester at the University of Louisiana. I'm majoring in Microbiology and would like to pursue a career in Pathology. During my first semester, I slacked off and my GPA ended up being 3.142. with four B's and two A's (in my science classes). I am about to enter the Honors Program at my university, but that's all I have going for me.

There aren't any ECs I have been involved in since graduating high school. I have not made any relationships with my professors, and I have no idea where to begin.

are you sure you want to do that? I don't know about your school, but at mine the honors program is geared more toward phd prep (harder more in depth versions of the regular science courses, and required thesis). You could be putting your gpa at risk for minimal benefit (as far as med school apps. go).

 

[morning]

I am in the same situation as you (freshman), except I do have volunteering. It's a really good time to realize you want to be a doctor, IMO. Some of the people who have known they want to be doctors for years and years are almost scary. The people who realize it junior/senior year are at a disadvantage if they don't have a good GPA or ECs.

 

[XenoFenix]

are you sure you want to do that? I don't know about your school, but at mine the honors program is geared more toward phd prep (harder more in depth versions of the regular science courses, and required thesis). You could be putting your gpa at risk for minimal benefit (as far as med school apps. go).

Our program sounds similar to that of yours, I would have to take an Honors class, attend seminars and I believe hold some kind of event towards the end of the semester?
To be honest, there isn't a guide that tells me or anyone exactly what they need to do, and I'm really lost, which is why I am apparently trying to get into programs I know nothing about. I don't want to put my adviser down, but currently she doesn't seem to really know any more than I do. I will get a new adviser that will follow through the end of my undergrad after my third semester, but as of now I have found more help on the internet than on campus.

 

[Catalystik]

Your first priority is to get straight As this semester and redeem your GPA. Until you can do that, ECs are only going to distract you and take time from your studies. If you can't do it, ECs won't matter anyway.